Those who find the story refreshing and entertaining also have a right to say our piece. From the comments, it…
Nope, it's Who is the Murderer. The premier episode only 1-2, and Zhao Liying only appear in episode 3, so the next day. But the douban "super critics" commented during the premier episode that her acting is wooden. I thought I watched a different drama, seriously. I have to rewatch episode 1-2 again to check whether my eyes betrayed me or they can see the future.
I've given up on ratings nowadays. I will enjoy whatever drama I watch. I don't want to care whether it has good ratings or not. I enjoy silly drama that I can watch without making me feel stressed. And this drama is one of them. That's why I wait for the updates daily, though someone told me just now that the airing schedule changed. I'm heartbroken.
It's the new airing schedule, no ep until this weekend. 2 eps Saturday and 2 eps Sunday. If i remember correctly…
Oh gosh why they do this. I wish they just stay with the same schedule. Oh well, I guess I have to wait again until the weekend. Thank you for letting me know!
People going after those critiquing the drama, be careful. While attacking actors or comparing them is an overall…
I think there are many types of people in this world watching dramas. Those who like it will like it, and those who don't will never like it.
I have no strong opinion about the drama, but it's a drama that can make me relax after hard day of work. I can just laugh and go brain dead. Does this mean the drama is bad? Of course, it's not. At least I'm still checking the sites everyday to see whether it has been updated. Is it very good? No. But is it entertaining? Yes, to me.
Everyone has different taste and different opinion. And I don't see why there's a need to bring other dramas into this thread though. The actress might be the same, but the story and the world building is different.
Those who find the story refreshing and entertaining also have a right to say our piece. From the comments, it…
Reminded me of the drama with Zhao Liying. She appeared at episode 3, and somehow the "critics" can see the future and criticize the drama, saying that the female lead's acting so wooden, when the episode only out 1-2 during that time. Surprise, surprise. I even believe they can see the future at that time.
If this drama is only about the main characters, and by a stretch, the girl and the best friend who worked in the same company as the male lead, then this drama is a solid 7/10 for me. It has an interesting start. It's really refreshing, very fun, and I was happy to watch them episode by episode. But when it started to introduce more couples than necessary, and how they try to make the ex-husband looks less scum, then this drama becomes 5/10 for me.
The plot had so much potential but they wasted it on many other things that are unnecessary. The way they be creative in the beginning to make the design for the ads, that was really interesting. I love that so much.
The acting of the lead characters really really good. I feel them. I wish they had better projects.
I almost didn't continue this drama after the disastrous ep 9-11, but I made it to the end. What I get was a disappointing ending.
For a drama that said to be a different kind of genre in BL, they deliver that in the first part of the story. It's so messy it's good. I usually don't like cheating included in the story, but I can see why these characters do them. The first 6 eps are the highest moment of the entire drama. It became my Saturday's special. I sleep late just to watch the drama. Sadly, the ending is too disappointing.
I have hopes they will give a good closure to at least 1 couple, not all of them. I can't understand why there's a need to give ALL of them happy endings.
I enjoy hating Boston and if it's not for the actor's brilliant acting, I would not buy the part where he asked forgiveness to his friends. What he did was awful and if I'm his friends, I would not give him a second chance. But again, the actor convinced me that he can change, which is amazing. I actually think he could be a better person in the end.
My fave couple is Sand-Ray. I know people said they're not the most ideal couple, but none of the couple in the drama actually decent. There are couples built from lies. At least, they know what their setup is in the beginning: Sex Friends. Though it evolved into something more than that. That's why my disappointment towards them bigger than the other couples. They started in the highest possible rank, their chemistry and tension in their early relationship gravitated me towards them. Though in the end I'm not sure whether I still like them or not. I think they're cute, but their ending was so lukewarm.
I would give this 6.8/10 at most. The first 6 episodes are really good though. I would rate it higher if they keep up the same quality in the ending. Too bad, my interest fizzed out starting ep 9.
I agree with the last part. many people loved the acting this week and that is completely fine, as it was somewhat…
Ray and Boston definitely excel in this week though. Their acting is very good. The subtle shift on their expression and also the way they interact is really crazy good.
I knew it! This episode will be chaos! And I love this kind of chaos.
Ray is so crazy OMG. I feel that crazy energy he transmitted. I can feel him when he said to Sand, "What are we?" In many ways, Ray has started to care about Sand. When he heard about how Top and Boston screw each other (eww) the first thing he thought is not about his own benefit, but his friend's benefit. He can just say it out loud in that party and he wouldn't be seen as a lunatic, but I can feel that he's beginning to no longer be obsessed (I still refuse to use the word love. If Book can be a better actor, then I'll use it. For now, it's obsession to me) with Mew.
Sand though. I don't understand his smile after he played the recording for Ray. What's with that. He wanted something to happen? Is that an evil smile? Or is it just my imagination?
This episode ends with a bang. Though sadly, the supposedly main characters, Top/Mew, failed to deliver their part. Force is somewhat more natural, but Book was terrible in many ways. He really didn't excel in expressing himself through his face, so it feels like all we see is just one stoic emotion that didn't change. Whether it's when he's happy, angry (at the pub), or when he's shocked. At the pub, the only emotion I feel running high is Ray, because he go full crazy mode, then Boston, when he's so afraid his cover going to be blown. When Ray showed Mew the recording, he had that same stoic expression. Sad, but I guess I have to swallow this part and just let it go.
HOLY SHIT. That's the only word that I could use to express my emotion throughout the entire episode. From the fluffy happy go lucky episode that turned into dramatic moment in a single heartbeat.
In my own humble opinion, Ray is definitely thinking that Sand is someone who is important enough for him, but it's not love at this point. It's more like, Sand is someone he's comfortable with other than Mew. If not, he wouldn't be that angry and agitated when Boston trying to "break" them up with his malicious words. It showed that Sand means something for him. Sand and Ray really a well-written character. They didn't throw fit and create bigger misunderstanding, and they choose to deal with it in the "adult" way in my opinion. Sand choose to silently crying by himself, while breaking my heart, is really mature of him. Ray being more emotionally connected wanted to immediately make Sand feel reassured, which is something that Ray would do. I think the writer and the director, including both actors, nailed their part so beautifully in this part!
While I like Boston as character, but I hate him as a friend. He's such a shitty friend. I feel that he's not happy to see his friend being happy and committed to the relationship. He clearly can see just how happy Sand is with Ray, and it's during this time he decided to strike and say things that are partially true. Partially, because it's true that Ray is obsessed with Mew (I refuse to use the word love), but it's not true that they're screwing each other. Mew is definitely virgin (if we go by the awkwardness of the love scene between him and Top), and when Ray kissed Mew in the last episode, he was rejected immediately. I hope Nick can get out of this toxic relationship, and quick.
Top and Mew, I don't even know. I think I dozed off a lot during their scene. They look happy and I am also happy to see that, since I know that they're going to be in turmoil later on. But it's just so hard to connect with their characters when the actors themselves put like zero effort to emote. It feels like they lost the steam after the supposedly "flirting" phase, and when they enter the sexual activity phase, it feels so lackluster.
I agree but I don't think he doesn't care. He just doesn't know how to emote. In ABAAB, he overacted and some…
This is what I feel as well. I mean, I can't even understand why Ray would feel hopeless because the person he kissed and apparently loved didn't even look like he had a soul in him. I would prefer he got the NG and then work hard on his expression. Sadly, for a BL drama, I think this might be the highest quality. There are worst actors, so I think it's just the standard there.
My impression of this drama will always be: Damn, First and Khaotung really got the talent for acting! Their characters, Sand and Ray, seem to be the most fascinating out of everyone. I don't know why. But they bring the multi-dimension personality to their characters, and it showed in their face, their body language, even the tone they use to speak in certain situation. For example, when Sand asking his friend whether it's love if he's started to feel angry and feeling something. That vulnerability in his voice is not easy to do without good acting skill.
For this episode though, it's all about the messy relationship. I wish my two favourite boys, Sand and Ray, could get out of this alive and well. Them together is my only sunshine at the moment from the drama and I don't want it to be taken from me.
I agree but I don't think he doesn't care. He just doesn't know how to emote. In ABAAB, he overacted and some…
I have the same feeling. Especially after Mew is being kissed by Ray. The way Ray looked at him, hopeless and crushed, but Mew has no other expression rather than the stony face he had all the time. Even a disgusted face would be better, or maybe angry face. But I guess I ask too much from him when it's a serious role like this.
I agree but I don't think he doesn't care. He just doesn't know how to emote. In ABAAB, he overacted and some…
I'm one of those people who think that Book suits the "slapstick comedy" character more, because I feel that his role in A Boss and A Babe actually fits him. Not saying that he's a great actor in there, but I think it's closest to his real personality and it shows. He's comfortable to carry the role and he had no problem making fun of himself. It's a leap and bound from his role in Enchante, which is kinda serious emo guy, but he only get the one-face emo guy all the time.
In Only Friends though, when emotions are strong and he's acting alongside First and Khaotung pair that has good acting skill, the flaws in his acting look even more obvious.
I still remember the part that makes me fall in love with this drama: Airport scene in episode 7. That episode is so well-played and so heart-breaking, it made me cry even without I realize it. It was that powerful. That's when I decided that I will continue watching this drama, and I didn't regret that decision.
Plot (7.5/10) The first few episodes are really too slow, even for the slice of life standard. Sang Zhi in the beginning is also too timid it makes me quite uncomfortable on her crush to Duan Jiaxu. It feels like she's looking at a Hero instead of a man. It's more like idol complex in the beginning. But in episode 7, it changed everything. That's when I realize the depth of her feelings towards Duan Jiaxu, and her silent cry plus her silent acceptance that she's not going to be anything in his life, that's when the plot started moving forward. I love that there's little drama in their couple life, as the drama is created by someone else, namely the crazy girl who followed Duan Jiaxu. After episode 7 is when the story picked up in its pace and yet still maintain the same slice of life-ness of its whole genre. It couldn't be considered as coming of age, so it's better to consider it as romance. When I see it as romance, I can give it higher rating for its plot, as the romance is executed properly.
Acting (8.5/10) I wanted to give a higher rating, but I think 8.5 is high enough point. This is mainly given to the male lead, Chen Zhe Yuan. While Zhao Lusi is good, but it's the male lead Chen Zhe Yuan that brings his character to life. His Duan Jiaxu is like a real person rather than just a character in a drama. Every expression, every gesture that he made, it all feels so real. That's what make me stay watching the drama in the beginning, and let me stuck to the story until episode 7, where I got hooked. The acting of the others also good, including Sang Zhi's brother, her parents, and even the adorable Qian Fei. The weakest link, surprisingly, is Jiang Ying, which is crazy because she's supposed to be Duan Jiaxu's arch-enemy in a sense. But her acting was lower in the standard if compared to the other actors. Then when she is face-to-face with Chen Zhe Yuan's Duan Jiaxu, her flaw is maximised. This is the reason why I can't give higher rating for acting.
Music (6/10) Again, nothing is new. It's the standard music for this kind of romance drama. It's not that bad but also not really memorable.
Production (7/10) I love the camera that they use as well as the angle they take the shot. The production is really good for a romance drama, and it didn't look cheap at all. I can see that there's money in the production and it showed.
Overall (7.5/10) The story is nothing new, but the excellent acting and the chemistry of all the characters in the drama, not only the leads, helped in elevating the story. The production value is also very high. For the story, while it's quite slow in the beginning, but once it picked up its pace, that's when it started to get interesting and surprisingly, Very Good.
This could be the best coming of age drama for me from China Mainland. I don't watch a lot of drama these days since they usually have the same structure: Enemy turns to lovers, best friends turn to lovers, childhood sweetheart turn to lovers, etc. Then sprinkled with some malicious second leads that make you grit your teeth and want to slap their face. But this drama is just so different. When I first started, I thought this is going to be the usual youth drama but in the end, I got hooked due to the interesting characters, good plot, and also the acting actually quite decent in overall.
Plot (7/10) This is a slice of life drama, and more over, this is a very calm drama so there's no up and down throughout the entire story. Most people will think slice of life is boring, but this drama is far from that. The drama moves quite fast, but it's not too fast-paced that it will make you feel dizzy or overwhelmed. The pace is just right. From the leads meeting each other, how they become friends, and then turn into lovers in the end. There's no wasted moment. There's also spiteful characters who wanted to play tricks on the two leads, but due to the leads understand each other and didn't let misunderstanding fester, there's not much "dramatic moment" that happened throughout the entire drama. I feel like I'm watching my youth replayed on my television screen and I'm so happy I choose to pay subscription to Youku to watch this.
Acting (8/10) Their acting is appropriate for their characters in the drama. It feels like they're just being themselves and enjoying every second of the drama, which makes it so fun watching them acting. My dad especially likes the female character Su Zaizai. I also really adore her so much. I also like the other characters, including the minor characters like our Nan Shen Wang Nan, Sui Zaizai's dorm mates during her university days, even Xie Linnan who knows boundaries and stop pursuing Zaizai once he knows she has a boyfriend.
Music (6/10) Music is very basic and standard so there's not much to talk about when it comes to this one. The opening and ending just the generic youthful drama that you hear many times. The insert song is the real gem, and I give the score 6 out of 10 for the insert song.
Overall (7.5/10) This drama has a very youthful feeling and makes me feel nostalgic about my youth. It makes me regret that I never do anything like this during my youth. I might rewatch this as they say it's going to Netflix, and I'll be happy to do the rewatch because it's really good.
I've watched this during the time the drama was aired in 2017 and recently rewatched it again because my mom wanted to watch it. My review is based on the recent impression I have about this drama, which is in 2023.
Ultimately, if you watch this drama in 2017, I think that the plot might not be that bad. I was one of those people who actually like it because there's no other drama so exciting as this after Nirvana in Fire and Startling by Each Step. Pure wuxia drama with politics. It's just so good. But in 2023, when you rewatch it again, you will see many inconsistency in the drama, too many plot holes, and annoyingly dragged out episodes. It's something that you might not be able to find post 2021.
Plot (6/10) The beginning was really good. It hooked you and make you stay. The first part of the drama feels like a complete introduction to all the characters. Then the middle and later part not so good in comparison to the first part. Starting around episode 20+, the plot started to derail and it feels like they added too much plot just so it could get longer and longer. The ending is questionable and super annoying cliffhanger.
Characters (6/10) If there's no Yuwen Yue, the score might be lower. Like 2/10.
Yuwen Yue is my most favorite character. He's loyal and also very understanding. He's someone who you can consider as the perfect gentleman. Even though he loves the girl, he didn't try to make her do something she didn't want to do. He always gives her a choice. Even if that choice is to leave him, he accepted it. He's one of the best character in the whole story. He's smart, intelligent, and also super caring. That's why people pledge loyalty to him, not because of fear.
Xing'er or Chu Qiao might not be my favorite girl in the whole story, but her loyalty got me. I don't know why she choose Yan Xu over and over again, even though it's easy to see she's no longer happy being with him. It feels like she had obligation towards him but that obligation caused too many demise to the people in the whole country.
Yan Xun is one of the worst character, even worst than the Wei emperor he's trying to kill. True, the emperor's paranoia killed his entire family. But what did he do? Killing more innocent people and waging war that hurt the innocent people more than it ever hurt the emperor. What did he get by doing that? Nothing. He claims he wanted revenge, but he killed the people who don't even partake in the killing of his family. So is it still revenge he's seeking? Or is it just him wanting to be on the top and feared by all?
Music (7.5/10) The music is such a banger. I really love the music. It's one of the reason why I stayed watching the drama throughout, from the beginning till the end.
Overall (6.5/10) One of the weakest link could be the script, and the next weak link is the actor who played Yan Xun. He's one of the main characters, but he's the one that showed the weakest performance. Unfortunate, but that's true. Maybe that's why it feels like Yan Xun was not relatable at all to me. But it's still not a bad drama. It's still watchable for those who wanted to have fun watching historical drama that's filled with many twists and turns.
I've given up on ratings nowadays. I will enjoy whatever drama I watch. I don't want to care whether it has good ratings or not. I enjoy silly drama that I can watch without making me feel stressed. And this drama is one of them. That's why I wait for the updates daily, though someone told me just now that the airing schedule changed. I'm heartbroken.
I have no strong opinion about the drama, but it's a drama that can make me relax after hard day of work. I can just laugh and go brain dead. Does this mean the drama is bad? Of course, it's not. At least I'm still checking the sites everyday to see whether it has been updated. Is it very good? No. But is it entertaining? Yes, to me.
Everyone has different taste and different opinion. And I don't see why there's a need to bring other dramas into this thread though. The actress might be the same, but the story and the world building is different.
But I love his shamelessness
The plot had so much potential but they wasted it on many other things that are unnecessary. The way they be creative in the beginning to make the design for the ads, that was really interesting. I love that so much.
The acting of the lead characters really really good. I feel them. I wish they had better projects.
For a drama that said to be a different kind of genre in BL, they deliver that in the first part of the story. It's so messy it's good. I usually don't like cheating included in the story, but I can see why these characters do them. The first 6 eps are the highest moment of the entire drama. It became my Saturday's special. I sleep late just to watch the drama. Sadly, the ending is too disappointing.
I have hopes they will give a good closure to at least 1 couple, not all of them. I can't understand why there's a need to give ALL of them happy endings.
I enjoy hating Boston and if it's not for the actor's brilliant acting, I would not buy the part where he asked forgiveness to his friends. What he did was awful and if I'm his friends, I would not give him a second chance. But again, the actor convinced me that he can change, which is amazing. I actually think he could be a better person in the end.
My fave couple is Sand-Ray. I know people said they're not the most ideal couple, but none of the couple in the drama actually decent. There are couples built from lies. At least, they know what their setup is in the beginning: Sex Friends. Though it evolved into something more than that. That's why my disappointment towards them bigger than the other couples. They started in the highest possible rank, their chemistry and tension in their early relationship gravitated me towards them. Though in the end I'm not sure whether I still like them or not. I think they're cute, but their ending was so lukewarm.
I would give this 6.8/10 at most. The first 6 episodes are really good though. I would rate it higher if they keep up the same quality in the ending. Too bad, my interest fizzed out starting ep 9.
Ray is so crazy OMG. I feel that crazy energy he transmitted. I can feel him when he said to Sand, "What are we?"
In many ways, Ray has started to care about Sand. When he heard about how Top and Boston screw each other (eww) the first thing he thought is not about his own benefit, but his friend's benefit. He can just say it out loud in that party and he wouldn't be seen as a lunatic, but I can feel that he's beginning to no longer be obsessed (I still refuse to use the word love. If Book can be a better actor, then I'll use it. For now, it's obsession to me) with Mew.
Sand though. I don't understand his smile after he played the recording for Ray. What's with that. He wanted something to happen? Is that an evil smile? Or is it just my imagination?
This episode ends with a bang. Though sadly, the supposedly main characters, Top/Mew, failed to deliver their part. Force is somewhat more natural, but Book was terrible in many ways. He really didn't excel in expressing himself through his face, so it feels like all we see is just one stoic emotion that didn't change. Whether it's when he's happy, angry (at the pub), or when he's shocked. At the pub, the only emotion I feel running high is Ray, because he go full crazy mode, then Boston, when he's so afraid his cover going to be blown. When Ray showed Mew the recording, he had that same stoic expression. Sad, but I guess I have to swallow this part and just let it go.
Last, can't wait for next week!
That's the only word that I could use to express my emotion throughout the entire episode. From the fluffy happy go lucky episode that turned into dramatic moment in a single heartbeat.
In my own humble opinion, Ray is definitely thinking that Sand is someone who is important enough for him, but it's not love at this point. It's more like, Sand is someone he's comfortable with other than Mew. If not, he wouldn't be that angry and agitated when Boston trying to "break" them up with his malicious words. It showed that Sand means something for him. Sand and Ray really a well-written character. They didn't throw fit and create bigger misunderstanding, and they choose to deal with it in the "adult" way in my opinion. Sand choose to silently crying by himself, while breaking my heart, is really mature of him. Ray being more emotionally connected wanted to immediately make Sand feel reassured, which is something that Ray would do. I think the writer and the director, including both actors, nailed their part so beautifully in this part!
While I like Boston as character, but I hate him as a friend. He's such a shitty friend. I feel that he's not happy to see his friend being happy and committed to the relationship. He clearly can see just how happy Sand is with Ray, and it's during this time he decided to strike and say things that are partially true. Partially, because it's true that Ray is obsessed with Mew (I refuse to use the word love), but it's not true that they're screwing each other. Mew is definitely virgin (if we go by the awkwardness of the love scene between him and Top), and when Ray kissed Mew in the last episode, he was rejected immediately. I hope Nick can get out of this toxic relationship, and quick.
Top and Mew, I don't even know. I think I dozed off a lot during their scene. They look happy and I am also happy to see that, since I know that they're going to be in turmoil later on. But it's just so hard to connect with their characters when the actors themselves put like zero effort to emote. It feels like they lost the steam after the supposedly "flirting" phase, and when they enter the sexual activity phase, it feels so lackluster.
Can't wait for the chaos next week!
For this episode though, it's all about the messy relationship. I wish my two favourite boys, Sand and Ray, could get out of this alive and well. Them together is my only sunshine at the moment from the drama and I don't want it to be taken from me.
In Only Friends though, when emotions are strong and he's acting alongside First and Khaotung pair that has good acting skill, the flaws in his acting look even more obvious.
Plot (7.5/10)
The first few episodes are really too slow, even for the slice of life standard. Sang Zhi in the beginning is also too timid it makes me quite uncomfortable on her crush to Duan Jiaxu. It feels like she's looking at a Hero instead of a man. It's more like idol complex in the beginning. But in episode 7, it changed everything. That's when I realize the depth of her feelings towards Duan Jiaxu, and her silent cry plus her silent acceptance that she's not going to be anything in his life, that's when the plot started moving forward. I love that there's little drama in their couple life, as the drama is created by someone else, namely the crazy girl who followed Duan Jiaxu. After episode 7 is when the story picked up in its pace and yet still maintain the same slice of life-ness of its whole genre. It couldn't be considered as coming of age, so it's better to consider it as romance. When I see it as romance, I can give it higher rating for its plot, as the romance is executed properly.
Acting (8.5/10)
I wanted to give a higher rating, but I think 8.5 is high enough point. This is mainly given to the male lead, Chen Zhe Yuan. While Zhao Lusi is good, but it's the male lead Chen Zhe Yuan that brings his character to life. His Duan Jiaxu is like a real person rather than just a character in a drama. Every expression, every gesture that he made, it all feels so real. That's what make me stay watching the drama in the beginning, and let me stuck to the story until episode 7, where I got hooked. The acting of the others also good, including Sang Zhi's brother, her parents, and even the adorable Qian Fei. The weakest link, surprisingly, is Jiang Ying, which is crazy because she's supposed to be Duan Jiaxu's arch-enemy in a sense. But her acting was lower in the standard if compared to the other actors. Then when she is face-to-face with Chen Zhe Yuan's Duan Jiaxu, her flaw is maximised. This is the reason why I can't give higher rating for acting.
Music (6/10)
Again, nothing is new. It's the standard music for this kind of romance drama. It's not that bad but also not really memorable.
Production (7/10)
I love the camera that they use as well as the angle they take the shot. The production is really good for a romance drama, and it didn't look cheap at all. I can see that there's money in the production and it showed.
Overall (7.5/10)
The story is nothing new, but the excellent acting and the chemistry of all the characters in the drama, not only the leads, helped in elevating the story. The production value is also very high. For the story, while it's quite slow in the beginning, but once it picked up its pace, that's when it started to get interesting and surprisingly, Very Good.
Plot (7/10)
This is a slice of life drama, and more over, this is a very calm drama so there's no up and down throughout the entire story. Most people will think slice of life is boring, but this drama is far from that. The drama moves quite fast, but it's not too fast-paced that it will make you feel dizzy or overwhelmed. The pace is just right. From the leads meeting each other, how they become friends, and then turn into lovers in the end. There's no wasted moment. There's also spiteful characters who wanted to play tricks on the two leads, but due to the leads understand each other and didn't let misunderstanding fester, there's not much "dramatic moment" that happened throughout the entire drama. I feel like I'm watching my youth replayed on my television screen and I'm so happy I choose to pay subscription to Youku to watch this.
Acting (8/10)
Their acting is appropriate for their characters in the drama. It feels like they're just being themselves and enjoying every second of the drama, which makes it so fun watching them acting. My dad especially likes the female character Su Zaizai. I also really adore her so much. I also like the other characters, including the minor characters like our Nan Shen Wang Nan, Sui Zaizai's dorm mates during her university days, even Xie Linnan who knows boundaries and stop pursuing Zaizai once he knows she has a boyfriend.
Music (6/10)
Music is very basic and standard so there's not much to talk about when it comes to this one. The opening and ending just the generic youthful drama that you hear many times. The insert song is the real gem, and I give the score 6 out of 10 for the insert song.
Overall (7.5/10)
This drama has a very youthful feeling and makes me feel nostalgic about my youth. It makes me regret that I never do anything like this during my youth. I might rewatch this as they say it's going to Netflix, and I'll be happy to do the rewatch because it's really good.
Ultimately, if you watch this drama in 2017, I think that the plot might not be that bad. I was one of those people who actually like it because there's no other drama so exciting as this after Nirvana in Fire and Startling by Each Step. Pure wuxia drama with politics. It's just so good. But in 2023, when you rewatch it again, you will see many inconsistency in the drama, too many plot holes, and annoyingly dragged out episodes. It's something that you might not be able to find post 2021.
Plot (6/10)
The beginning was really good. It hooked you and make you stay. The first part of the drama feels like a complete introduction to all the characters. Then the middle and later part not so good in comparison to the first part. Starting around episode 20+, the plot started to derail and it feels like they added too much plot just so it could get longer and longer. The ending is questionable and super annoying cliffhanger.
Characters (6/10)
If there's no Yuwen Yue, the score might be lower. Like 2/10.
Yuwen Yue is my most favorite character. He's loyal and also very understanding. He's someone who you can consider as the perfect gentleman. Even though he loves the girl, he didn't try to make her do something she didn't want to do. He always gives her a choice. Even if that choice is to leave him, he accepted it. He's one of the best character in the whole story. He's smart, intelligent, and also super caring. That's why people pledge loyalty to him, not because of fear.
Xing'er or Chu Qiao might not be my favorite girl in the whole story, but her loyalty got me. I don't know why she choose Yan Xu over and over again, even though it's easy to see she's no longer happy being with him. It feels like she had obligation towards him but that obligation caused too many demise to the people in the whole country.
Yan Xun is one of the worst character, even worst than the Wei emperor he's trying to kill. True, the emperor's paranoia killed his entire family. But what did he do? Killing more innocent people and waging war that hurt the innocent people more than it ever hurt the emperor. What did he get by doing that? Nothing. He claims he wanted revenge, but he killed the people who don't even partake in the killing of his family. So is it still revenge he's seeking? Or is it just him wanting to be on the top and feared by all?
Music (7.5/10)
The music is such a banger. I really love the music. It's one of the reason why I stayed watching the drama throughout, from the beginning till the end.
Overall (6.5/10)
One of the weakest link could be the script, and the next weak link is the actor who played Yan Xun. He's one of the main characters, but he's the one that showed the weakest performance. Unfortunate, but that's true. Maybe that's why it feels like Yan Xun was not relatable at all to me. But it's still not a bad drama. It's still watchable for those who wanted to have fun watching historical drama that's filled with many twists and turns.